A fresh cup of that warm, brown, and bittersweet stimulant is what most of us need to start our day. Coffee, being an all-time favorite morning wake up call, helps you get through the day with physical and mental alertness. But aside from perking up your brain, do you know that coffee can also perk up your complexion?
Experts and beauty bloggers around the globe agree that your beloved java can also make you prettier. And we’re not just talking about the benefits you can reap by drinking coffee but also through topically applying used and fresh coffee grounds on your skin and hair.
Let’s uncover the beauty uses that coffee has been hiding all this time. Whether you’re a coffee lover or a tea fanatic, you’re welcome to try these seven quick and easy tricks at home.
- Coffee eye balm: to kiss puffy eyes goodbye
Have to stay up all night to finish your papers? Don’t throw away your used coffee grounds. You might use them later to freshen up your tired-looking eyes due to lack of sleep.
Coffee can be a natural remedy for eye puffiness and dark circles. It is loaded with caffeine which can constrict small blood vessels and reduce swelling and inflammation. It’s an asset in eye creams designed to minimize sagging and dark circles under the eyes.
The directions are simple. After sipping your fresh brew, remove the used grounds from the filter. Place them in a separate dish and chill them for a while. Then, apply the cool grounds gently on the under-eye area and carefully rub them. Let them sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Gently wipe the grounds off and rinse off with cool water.
Though the result is temporary, it will still help bring some youthful glow in your eyes when you need it.
- Coconut and coffee scrub: to brighten up complexion
If you’re looking for a mild exfoliator for your face, you can never go wrong with coffee. A do-it-yourself coffee scrub will help you brighten skin, soften lines, smoothen skin, and eliminate dead skin cells while working with your body’s natural renewal process. The best part is you need only three ingredients.
Go to your kitchen and pick up three tablespoons of new coffee grounds, one tablespoon of brown sugar, and one tablespoon of coconut oil. Mix the ingredients and add more or less sugar based on your preferred consistency. Gently massage onto your face in a circular motion and rinse with lukewarm water.
- Coffee face mask: to rejuvenate your skin
Putting on your morning face mask will help hydrate your skin, remove excess oils, and improve the appearance of your pores. If you want to keep your face glowing all day long, adding a dash of coffee into your face mask will do the magic.
Mix 2 tablespoons of used or fresh ground coffee, 1 tablespoon of honey, 3 tablespoons of whole milk, heavy cream, or yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder. After mixing the ingredients together, apply a light coat on your face. Let the mask sit for about 15 minutes then remove it gently with a warm wash cloth.
- Coffee body scrub: to exfoliate your body
No loofah? No problem. You can exfoliate and scrub off dirt and dead skin using coffee. Coffee grounds have the perfect texture and consistency for a great exfoliator. In addition to their natural coarseness, coffee also contains caffeic acid, which boosts collagen production, says Lynda Torrey, director of Education at The Woodhouse Day Spa.
Scrubbing your skin with coffee grounds before you step into the shower is a simple way to exfoliate. However, if you want a spa-like effect on your skin, try adding some key ingredients.
Mix ½ cup of sugar or Epsom salt, ½ tablespoon of jojoba oil, a handful of tea leaves from 2 tea bags, and one cup of chilled coffee grounds. Gently rub the mixture onto the body in a circular motion before stepping into the shower. After rinsing, pat your skin dry and apply your favorite moisturizer.
- Coffee scrub: to blast away cellulite temporarily
Want to wear your favorite pair of shorts and show off your legs? Have some coffee to treat your unwanted cellulites. The caffeine and antioxidants present in coffee can eliminate the appearance of your thighs’ trouble spots in the short term. Caffeine dilates blood vessels, which tightens tissue temporarily while the antioxidants may help release toxins which is beneficial for healthy skin.
Mix ¼ cup ground coffee with 3 tablespoons hot water and form a paste. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to absorb the water then mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil to help bind the grinds. After washing your problem spots with warm shower, apply the scrub by massaging in a circular motion. Do this for 2-4 minutes then rinse with warm water, pat dry, and moisturize.
- Coffee foot scrub: to pamper your feet
Your feet, which takes you to different places every day, need a little pampering too. Carolyn Doe, a spa director in The Umstead Hotel and Spa recommends a coconut and coffee foot scrub to soothe tired feet at home. The two make a great team in repairing rough skin because coffee is rich in protective antioxidants while coconut oil has a natural skin-nourishing and anti-fungal properties.
Create a foot scrub mixture using 1 cup of virgin coconut oil, ½ cup of ground coffee, and 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for aroma. Soak your tired feet for 10 minutes in a tub of warm and soapy water. Scoop a teaspoon of the foot scrub and rub it onto the feet in a circular motion to slough off dead skin. Rinse your feet with warm water and pat them dry.
- Coffee grounds: to smoothen your hair
The beauty benefits of coffee aren’t only limited to your skin. You can also use coffee grounds to make your crowning glory smoother and shinier.
Scrunch a handful of coffee grounds into your wet hair. It may feel like you’re rubbing a handful of sandy grits into your hair at first but you’ll feel satisfied later on. The grounds will remove any product residue and will leave your tresses smooth and shiny. Once you’re done rubbing your hair with the grinds, rinse thoroughly. This works best for people with dark-colored hair and not for those who have bleached or light hair for it may darken your hair color.
Author:
Carmina Natividad is one of the daytime writers for The Australasian College of Health and Wellness, a government accredited educational institution specializing in the discipline of health science. She spends most of her time writing articles focused on aesthetics and overall health and wellness.